Luftwaffe Pilot/Aircrew Armband

**behlftball** · 04-01-2014, 03:54 AM

Hi,

I picked up this yellow Luftwaffe Pilot/aircrew armband. From the little I can find/know, it was designed for use by downed pilots/aircrews to identify them after 1944. From what I can tell is that they are fairly scarce. I am looking to trade it with a fellow collector (I'm more of a dagger, bayonet, knife guy) and I was wondering what the approximate value is of this item.

Thanks,
Phil

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 04-01-2014 03:54 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Walkwolf** · 04-01-2014, 04:13 AM

I believe these were for civilian workers in aid/support
of the Luftwaffe. Anyway, these are not that
expensive, IMO - under $100.........

**behlftball** · 04-01-2014, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the reply. That is what I thought at first too, but after more looking I found different sites saying that it was for aircrews...

http://www.hiscoll.com/viewitem.php?id=10223

I am not contradicting what you are saying as I am a novice (obviously), but I am just trying to figure out if there is a difference between these armbands or if the other site is wrong.

Thanks,
Phil

**HPL2008** · 04-01-2014, 05:10 PM

For downed aircrews is correct.

Of very late-war vintage, these armbands were officially introduced with an order of 29th December 1944 (published in the Luftwaffenverordnungsblatt vol. 45, no. 26).

Their purpose was to provide Luftwaffe personnel who were flying missions over German territory with a means of "identification and distinction from shot-down enemy aircrews" ["Kenntlichmachung und Unterscheidung von abgeschossenen feindlichen Besatzungen"].